CVE-2025-23027 in next-forge
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2025
next-forge is a Next.js project boilerplate for modern web application. The BASEHUB_TOKEN commited in apps/web/.env.example. Users should avoid use of this token and should remove any access it may have in their systems.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-23027 represents a critical security flaw in the next-forge Next.js project boilerplate where a BASEHUB_TOKEN has been inadvertently committed to the repository's configuration file. This exposure occurs within the apps/web/.env.example file, which serves as a template for environment variables that should never contain actual authentication credentials. The presence of such a token in a publicly accessible example configuration file creates a significant risk for any developer or organization that clones or uses this boilerplate without proper review of the committed credentials.
This vulnerability manifests as a hard-coded credential exposure that directly violates fundamental security principles and industry best practices. The committed token represents a persistent authentication mechanism that could grant unauthorized access to backend services or APIs that rely on BASEHUB_TOKEN for authorization. Security standards such as CWE-798 specifically address the issue of hardcoded credentials, while the MITRE ATT&CK framework categorizes this under credential access techniques where adversaries exploit hard-coded credentials to maintain persistent access to systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple credential exposure as it provides a potential entry point for attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive data or services within the associated infrastructure.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted. Organizations deploying applications based on this boilerplate may unknowingly expose their systems to unauthorized access, potentially compromising sensitive data, user accounts, or business-critical services. The token's presence in the example configuration file suggests that developers may not properly understand the security implications of committing authentication credentials to version control systems. This flaw can lead to unauthorized access to backend services, data exfiltration, service disruption, and potential compliance violations depending on the nature of the systems protected by the BASEHUB_TOKEN. The vulnerability also creates a false sense of security for developers who may not realize the token's exposure until it is actively exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-23027 require immediate action to address the committed token and implement proper security controls. Organizations must first identify and remove any instances of the BASEHUB_TOKEN from their systems, particularly in the apps/web/.env.example file and any other committed configuration files. The recommended approach involves implementing proper environment variable management practices, including the use of secure secret management systems such as HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager, or Azure Key Vault. Additionally, organizations should establish comprehensive code review processes that include automated scanning for hardcoded credentials using tools like GitGuardian, Snyk, or SonarQube to prevent similar issues in the future. Security teams should also implement proper access control measures and regularly audit their systems for exposed credentials. The implementation of security training for development teams regarding secure coding practices and the proper handling of authentication credentials will help prevent recurrence of such vulnerabilities in the development lifecycle.